Method and apparatus for installing device driver

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for installing an input device driver by installing the input device driver in the apparatus to drive a device that performs a predetermined function while storing a device driver file, and re-installing the device driver in the apparatus using the stored device driver file. Accordingly, the provided method enables a novice computer user to easily re-install the input device driver using the stored device driver file in the computer without accessing the input device driver file, for example, stored on a CD, thereby improving reliability of the device and reducing the number of after-sale service requests.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of installing a device driver in a computer to drive a device that performs a predetermined function, the method comprising: 
 installing in the computer an input device driver while storing a device driver file; and    re-installing the input device driver in the computer using the stored device driver file.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the installing of the input device driver comprises: 
 determining whether the device driver file is input;    preparing for installation of the device driver in the computer when determined that the device driver file is input;    installing the input device driver in the computer; and    copying and storing the device driver file in the computer.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises generating an icon for re-installation of the device driver after the device driver file is copied and stored.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the installing of the input device driver further comprises re-booting the computer after the device driver file is copied and stored.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the re-installing of the input device driver comprises: 
 determining whether the device driver is requested to be re-installed in the computer;    determining whether a previously installed device driver exists in the computer, when determined that the device driver is requested to be re-installed in the computer;    uninstalling the previously installed device driver, if determined that the previously installed device driver exists in the computer;    preparing for reinstallation of the device driver in the computer using the stored device driver file, when determined that the previously installed device driver does not exist in the computer or after the previously installed device driver is uninstalled; and    re-installing the device driver in the computer using the stored device driver file.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the re-installing of the input device driver further comprises: 
 registering a location where the device driver file is stored, after the previously installed device driver is uninstalled; and    re-booting the computer and preparing for reinstallation of the device driver in the computer using the stored device driver file, according to the location of the device driver file,    wherein the preparing for reinstallation of the device driver in the computer using the stored device driver file comprises preparing for re-installation of the device driver in the computer using the stored device driver file, when determined that the previously installed device driver does not exist in the computer, or after the computer is re-booted.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the re-installing of the input device driver further comprises re-booting the computer after the device driver is re-installed in the computer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device predetermined function is at least one printing, scanning, faxing, and digital image taking functions.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus installing a device driver to drive a device that performs a predetermined function, the apparatus comprising: 
 a first driver installation unit installing in the apparatus an input device driver while storing a device driver file; and    a second driver installation unit, which re-installs the device driver using the stored device driver file input from the first driver installation.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first driver installation unit comprises: 
 a file examination unit, which examines whether the device driver file is input and outputs an examination result as a first control signal;    a first installation preparing unit, which prepares for installation of the device driver in response to the first control signal and outputs a preparation completion signal;    a first installation unit, which installs the device driver in response to the preparation completion signal; and    a storing unit, which copies and stores the device driver file.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the second driver installation unit comprises: 
 an installation request examination unit, which examines whether a re-installation of the device driver is requested and outputs an examination result as a second control signal;    a driver examination unit, which examines whether a previously installed device driver exists in response to the second control signal and outputs another examination result as a third control signal;    a driver uninstallation unit, which uninstalls the previously installed device driver in response to the third control signal and outputs an uninstallation completion signal representing whether the uninstallation is completed;    a second installation preparing unit, which prepares for re-installation of the device driver using the stored device driver file in response to the third control signal, or in response to the uninstallation completion signal, and outputs a preparation completion signal representing whether the preparation is completed; and    a second installation unit, which re-installs the device driver by reading the stored device driver file in response to the preparation completion signal input from the second installation preparation unit.    
     
     
         12 . A machine-readable storage storing at least one program controlling a computing device according to a process comprising: 
 receiving an input device driver;    installing the input device driver;    storing in the computer a file of the input device driver during the installing of the device driver; and    allowing re-installation of the device driver using the stored device driver file.    
     
     
         13 . The machine-readable storage of  claim 12 , wherein the allowing of the reinstallation comprises: 
 generating a device driver re-installation icon; and    upon selecting the device driver re-installation icon, re-installing the input device driver using the stored device driver file without accessing the input device driver file.